Retired Edison officer admits to stealing $38K from town

EDISON-- A retired Edison police captain has admitted to "stealing more than $38,000 from the township while working another job," Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey said in a statement.

Natale A. Fresco, 61, of Edison, pleaded guilty in Middlesex County Superior Court on Tuesday to third-degree theft by unlawful taking, after he had been found working as a mall security guard without permission while collecting sick time as a township police officer.

In accordance with a plea agreement with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, Fresco -- who had been a 37-year veteran of the Edison Police Department-- faces up to 180 days in jail, as well as probation, the statement said.

He had been collecting the payments while working as head of security at the Menlo Park Mall in Edison between July 15 and Sept 30 of last year.